2009 - Wisdom and Commentary from Shakespeare

Macbeth - Act 1, Scene "What's fair is foul and foul is fair" chant the witches. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth host Duncan for a dinner, then kill him. Things are not what they seem - perhaps reversed. The quote sets the tone for the play Macbeth which highlights a confused, un-natural world. As Macbeth meets the witches, everything changes. He hears great predictions, but they lead him to evil actions. He starts lying and deceiving, and no longer can anyone trust anyone else's face to reveal his or her character. Sound familiar?

How shall we think about our world in 2009? A world whose financial system has quaked/rattled/rolled, where we in the USA have a brand new president, where new systems and new a world are emerging very quickly. A brave new world perhaps? Not Huxley's title, but first written as Miranda's speech from Shakespeare's "The Tempest", Act 5, Scene 1.

"O wonder!

How many goodly creatures are there here!

How beautious mankind is!

O brave new world,

That has such people in't!"

Miranda shows a positive attitude which is almost uncanny when compared to the other characters in this play. A too sunny view? Too optimistic for you? Yes, she was a naive, young girl. Prospero, her father then says "'Tis new to thee." How will we approach our new world that in many ways is new to us?

In order to become better - to choose reseilience and re-invention, I must change. I am asking you and all my clients to coach me on one thing this year: What can you tell me that I don't want to hear? With your help, I can look at myself and evolve. Too many institutions failed last year because of hubris and arrogance. We all have that dangerous duo hidden within us. I want to face them. "Foul is Fair and Fair is Foul", indeed. I want to take every opportunity in 2009 to elevate, improve and to become a more "goodly creature" in our new world. I've listed some books below to help guide us on our journey to be leaders, be brave and look both within and to some exemplars for inspire. Brave new world, yes. Stand up and lead.

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